Tara Spencer-Nairn in Nada (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The big closer of LG Fashion Week, the Dare to Wear Love gala fundraiser for the Stephen Lewis Foundation , brought to the runway the CanCon stars we’re so used to seeing in the front row—models strutted their stuff in designs made from African fabrics by the likes of Wayne Clark, Linda Lundström, David Dixon and Izzy Camilleri.
FDCC chair Robin Kay gave a short introduction speech, saying, “Talking about Style With Power, I just wanted to say hi to Mr. Smitherman over there,” snubbing mayoral candidate Joe Pantalone, who was also in attendance. Guess we know how she’s voting today. Tara Spencer-Nairn opened the show, half walking, half skipping the runway in a full-skirted number by Nada; Anne-Marie Mediwake sauntered in David Dixon; and Keshia Chanté strolled in Adrian Wu before an interpretive dance break, which, judging by the woman’s outfit of blue body paint and dreads, was brought to us by Avatar . The Canadians kept coming, as Anna Maria Tremonti, Arlene Dickinson, and Wendy Mesley and her daughter Kate walked, though it seemed the audience was most delighted when a particularly chiselled male model removed his shirt to show beefcake abs and chest. But the most oohs and ahhs of the night came when the closing dress by Izzy Camilleri was trotted out by a red-headed little girl.
See all the photos in the slide show below >>
45154 Sponsored by <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/peroni_slide/" target="_blank">Peroni</a> https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/TL_Peroni_FW_slideAd_201010.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/TL_Peroni_FW_slideAd_201010.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/TL_Peroni_FW_slideAd_201010.jpg 400 300 [] https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/tl_peroni_fw_slidead_2010-11/ tl_peroni_fw_slidead_2010-11 0 0
45117 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Bridget Stuart in Izzy Camilleri https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1287.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1287.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1287.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"5.6","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287782145","focal_length":"200","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.005"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1287/ dtwl212w1287 0 0
45118 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Dina Pugliese in Ines di Santo https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1267.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1267.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1267.jpg 419 624 {"aperture":"5.6","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287782070","focal_length":"73","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1267/ dtwl212w1267 0 0
45119 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model in a Fashion Crimes dress https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1221.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1221.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1221.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"5","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781964","focal_length":"150","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1221/ dtwl212w1221 0 0
45121 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Mesley takes off the outer layer of her dress to reveal a Stephen Lewis frock https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1199.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1199.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1199.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4.5","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781894","focal_length":"70","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1199/ dtwl212w1199 0 0
45123 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Mesley shows of her dress https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1196.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1196.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1196.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4.5","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781887","focal_length":"70","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1196/ dtwl212w1196 0 0
45124 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Wendy Mesley and daughter Kate wear Peach Beserk https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1170.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1170.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1170.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4.5","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781872","focal_length":"135","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1170/ dtwl212w1170 0 0
45125 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Coco Framboise wears Damzels in this Dress https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1146.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1146.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1146.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781798","focal_length":"175","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1146/ dtwl212w1146 0 0
45126 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Kendra Francis https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1115.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1115.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1115.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781734","focal_length":"105","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1115/ dtwl212w1115 0 0
45127 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Angela Smith wears Jason Meyers https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1067.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1067.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1067.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781664","focal_length":"165","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1067/ dtwl212w1067 0 0
45128 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Hoax Couture https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1038.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1038.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1038.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781570","focal_length":"135","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1038/ dtwl212w1038 0 0
45129 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Hoax Couture https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1036.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1036.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1036.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781569","focal_length":"135","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1036/ dtwl212w1036 0 0
45130 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model in an outfit from Northbound Leather https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1005.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1005.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1005.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781201","focal_length":"105","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.0015625"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1005/ dtwl212w1005 0 0
45131 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Arlene Dickinson wears Pat McDonagh https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0973.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0973.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0973.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781138","focal_length":"115","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.0015625"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0973/ dtwl212w0973 0 0
45132 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Brian Bailey https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0961.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0961.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0961.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781083","focal_length":"98","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.0015625"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0961/ dtwl212w0961 0 0
45133 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Avioanni https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0919.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0919.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0919.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287781027","focal_length":"200","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0919/ dtwl212w0919 0 0
45134 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Anna Maria Tremonti in a Comrags dress https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0904.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0904.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0904.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780982","focal_length":"110","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0904/ dtwl212w0904 0 0
45135 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Lovas Design https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0880.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0880.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0880.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780912","focal_length":"200","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0880/ dtwl212w0880 0 0
45136 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Ula Zukowska https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0865.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0865.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0865.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780863","focal_length":"108","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0865/ dtwl212w0865 0 0
45137 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Clothing from Kimina https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0843.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0843.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0843.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780808","focal_length":"125","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0843/ dtwl212w0843 0 0
45138 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Models wearing Linda Lundström https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0812.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0812.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0812.jpg 415 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780725","focal_length":"105","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.005"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0812/ dtwl212w0812 0 0
45139 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Keshia Chanté wears Adrian Wu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0753.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0753.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0753.jpg 415 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780550","focal_length":"175","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0753/ dtwl212w0753 0 0
45140 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Wayne Clark https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0728.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0728.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0728.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780489","focal_length":"125","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0728/ dtwl212w0728 0 0
45141 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Zoran Dobric https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0712.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0712.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0712.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780428","focal_length":"135","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0712/ dtwl212w0712 0 0
45142 Dejana Bajic wears Zoran Dobric https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0705.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0705.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0705.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780408","focal_length":"110","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0705/ dtwl212w0705 0 0
45143 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears Reva Mivasagar https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0690.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0690.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0690.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780345","focal_length":"120","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.004"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0690/ dtwl212w0690 0 0
45144 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Anne Marie Mediwake in David Dixon https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0667.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0667.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0667.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780291","focal_length":"115","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.003125"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0667/ dtwl212w0667 0 0
45145 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A model wears a Farley Chatto design https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0650.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0650.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0650.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780241","focal_length":"98","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.003125"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0650/ dtwl212w0650 0 0
45146 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Tara Spencer-Nairn in Nada https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0631.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0631.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w0631.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287780187","focal_length":"150","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.005"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w0631/ dtwl212w0631 0 0
45116 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The models from the Dare to Wear Love show https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1292.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1292.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1292.jpg 936 624 {"aperture":"5.6","camera":"Canon EOS-1D Mark III","created_timestamp":"1287782223","focal_length":"70","iso":"640","shutter_speed":"0.005"} https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/slide/dtwl212w1292/ dtwl212w1292 0 0
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/style/robin-kay-gives-props-to-george-smitherman-at-dare-to-wear-love-gala/&title=Robin Kay gives props to George Smitherman at Dare to Wear Love gala&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/DTWL212w1292.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_45116" align="aligncenter" width="656" caption="Tara Spencer-Nairn in Nada (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)"][/caption]
The big closer of LG Fashion Week, the Dare to Wear Love gala fundraiser for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, brought to the runway the CanCon stars we’re so used to seeing in the front row—models strutted their stuff in designs made from African fabrics by the likes of Wayne Clark, Linda Lundström, David Dixon and Izzy Camilleri.
FDCC chair Robin Kay gave a short introduction speech, saying, “Talking about Style With Power, I just wanted to say hi to Mr. Smitherman over there,” snubbing mayoral candidate Joe Pantalone, who was also in attendance. Guess we know how she’s voting today. Tara Spencer-Nairn opened the show, half walking, half skipping the runway in a full-skirted number by Nada; Anne-Marie Mediwake sauntered in David Dixon; and Keshia Chanté strolled in Adrian Wu before an interpretive dance break, which, judging by the woman’s outfit of blue body paint and dreads, was brought to us by Avatar. The Canadians kept coming, as Anna Maria Tremonti, Arlene Dickinson, and Wendy Mesley and her daughter Kate walked, though it seemed the audience was most delighted when a particularly chiselled male model removed his shirt to show beefcake abs and chest. But the most oohs and ahhs of the night came when the closing dress by Izzy Camilleri was trotted out by a red-headed little girl.
See all the photos in the slide show below >>[gallery order="DESC" columns="7"]
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